I was standing next to him(1), and it was a big ol' bear hug. Nothing needed to be said. We finally got an opportunity to go. We'd waited a long time. The city had waited a long time. I never really wanted to leave. The city was always good to me. The organization was always fair to me. It's never been about the almighty dollar.We make a lot of money. I'm not complaining about the amount of money I'm making. I get paid well. The problem you have nowadays is there's no loyalty from players or management.

Jeff Kent drove in four runs and the Houston Astros had 16 hits in a 10-4 rout of the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. Richard Hidalgo went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, and Wade Miller allowed three runs on two hits over six innings in the Astros' third straight win. Miller (3-2) struck out seven and walked six in improving to 7-1 against the Reds, who have lost four in a row. The Astros roughed up starter Aaron Harang (2-1), who allowed four runs on 10 hits in just 4 1/3 innings.

Except for one little detail, Randy Johnson is right where the Houston Astros hoped he would be when they traded for him. Kevin Brown is likewise just about where the San Diego Padres hoped he would be when they traded for him. The problems are these: Johnson and Brown are in each other's way and it's only the division series, not the World Series. The two aces meet Tuesday on the first day of the four-week postseason tournament, which features the deepest field in history. Both the National League Central champion Astros and West champion Padres set franchise records for victories this season.

Astros 5, Dodgers 4: Derek Bell's third hit of the game, a single in the ninth, drove in the winner in Houston. The Astros failed to hold a two-run lead in the ninth, when Los Angeles tied the score against Todd Jones (1-0). Brian Hunter led off the bottom of the ninth with a single off John Cummings (0-1), Craig Biggio sacrificed and Jeff Bagwell was intentionally walked. Bell then lined a single into left field and Roger Cedeno's throw to the plate was wide.

All-Star second baseman Craig Biggio is available to negotiate with other teams after declining a $20 million, four-year offer from the Houston Astros. "Craig has been an invaluable part of this organization and we're just very disappointed that we weren't able to get it done," Astros vice president Bob McClaren said. McClaren said it's possible Biggio could get the offer back, "but we're going to have to start making plans to address other needs." McClaren said Astros officials wanted to sign Biggio on Friday, when the player met with owner Drayton McLane and President Tal Smith.